MobileMe
| File:Mobileme Logo.png | |
| Developer(s) | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Mac OS X / Microsoft Windows / Web Based |
| Type | Internet suite |
| Website | http://www.apple.com/mobileme/ me.com - Tentative URL, currently a redirect |
MobileMe is the replacement for .Mac announced at WWDC 2008. It will replace the current .Mac service and current .Mac members will be migrated automatically.
Difference between .Mac and MobileMe
While mostly replacing .Mac (which was primarily centered around Internet services for Apple's desktop and notebook computers), MobileMe provides Internet services for both Mac OS X and the iPhone OS as well as the iPod touch device and Microsoft Windows users. This means that now you are not restricted to a Mac running software like Mail and iCal, but can access your personal data from any computer connected to the internet.
Features
Storage
20GB of online storage featuring 200GB of monthly transfer. The family pack includes this for the main user as well as 5GB of storage and 50GB of transfer for each sub user (up to four additional users)
Free Push Mail. Includes a @me.com email address. When a message is received it is sent directly to all the user's devices.
Address Book
Address Book (Push). When a contacted is added or amended it is updated immediately on all the user's devices.
Calendar
Calendar (Push). When a calendar appointment is added or amended it is updated immediately on all the user's devices.
Gallery
Public photo gallery. Photos can be uploaded in the web browser or synced by iPhoto on a Mac.
iDisk
iDisk, which is accessible via a web browser, the Finder on a Mac, or as a remote disk in Microsoft Windows. The iDisk can also share files by emailing a link to the intended recipient. Another feature is to set an expiration on the link. This means access to file will stop after a set number of downloads or after certain time period.
Web 2.0
MobileMe uses web 2.0 technologies to provide the look and feel of desktop-class applications in the user's web browser.
Pricing
An Individual purchase of a MobileMe account for one-year is $99 USD (£59), while a Family Pack subscription (which includes one individual account and four family accounts with a specific email address for each one) is $149 USD (£89) for one year. The Individual account will have 20GB of combined email and file storage and 200GB of monthly data transfer, while the Family Pack will have, for each account in the Pack, 5GB of combined email and file storage, and 50GB of monthly data transfer.
Competitors
MobileMe is supposed to comprise Microsoft Exchange-like features for consumers.
Browser Support
MobileMe's online services can be accessed in Desktop Applications. MobileMe also allows access to the user's data in desktop-like environment in a web browser. Featured browsers are:
- Safari 3 or later (Mac + PC)
- Firefox 2 or later (Mac + PC)
- Internet Explorer (PC)
